Parasitic Eye Disease Causes Blindness in Contact Lens Users
- teresa Sánchez se encontraba en México para someterse a un procedimiento médico hace casi cuatro años cuando comenzó a sentir sequedad y una sensación punzante constante en...
- Pensó que podía tratarse de un posible desgarro en su lente de contacto, de la resequedad general que había notado desde que empezó a usar...
- Pero lo que no sabría hasta tres meses después era que un pequeño invasor estaba librando una guerra contra su córnea, destruyendo de forma permanente su...
CNN
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teresa Sánchez se encontraba en México para someterse a un procedimiento médico hace casi cuatro años cuando comenzó a sentir sequedad y una sensación punzante constante en su ojo derecho.
Pensó que podía tratarse de un posible desgarro en su lente de contacto, de la resequedad general que había notado desde que empezó a usar lentes de contacto mensuales en lugar de desechables diarios, o incluso de que su cuerpo estuviera combatiendo alguna enfermedad.
Pero lo que no sabría hasta tres meses después era que un pequeño invasor estaba librando una guerra contra su córnea, destruyendo de forma permanente su visión y causándole un intenso dolor ardiente que se extendía por toda su cabeza.
“No podía abrir las persianas de mi habitación porque eso me provocaba un dolor muy,muy fuerte en el ojo”,contó Sánchez,de 33 años y residente en Las Vegas,al recordar un momento angustiante tras pasar unos tres meses de diagnósticos erróneos por parte de oftalmólogos.”Ahí supe que era algo serio y empecé a investigar por mi cuenta”.
Manny pathogens can cause keratitis, explained dr. Jacob Lorenzo-morales, a professor of parasitology at the University of La Laguna in Spain, via email.
Once the opportunistic parasite reaches the surface of the eye, it adheres to the cornea, according to Dr. paul Barney, an optometrist and director of the Pacific Cataract and Laser institute in Anchorage, Alaska. If there are breaks in the corneal epithelium –a thin protective layer of extremely pain-sensitive cells- these allow the parasite to enter the cornea, according to Barney.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare disease, Barney noted, also a member of the American Optometric association’s board of directors. There are more than 23,000 cases annually worldwide, according to 2023 data from just 20 countries, including Brazil, canada, the United Kingdom, India and the United States.
However, close to 85% and 95% of those infected use contact lenses, which create favorable conditions for Acanthamoeba. Lenses can cause abrasions on the cornea that serve as an entry point for the pathogen; in addition, Acanthamoeba can adhere to the surface of the lens or become trapped between it and the eye, making it easier to penetrate deeper.
“Having to
bathing, showering, or sleeping- are an important part of routine care.” CLSA is a network of members from the eye care sector and the contact lens manufacturing and service industry.
The society added that “it encourages clear and ongoing dialogue from providers and active patient participation, which includes asking questions, reviewing written materials, and talking about any concerns they have about safe lens use.”
In addition to pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision, Acanthamoeba keratitis can also cause redness, dryness, excessive tearing, and a feeling that something is in the eye.
lack of awareness of the disease and the fact that some symptoms mimic those of other corneal infections make it easy for optometrists to misdiagnose, Barney explained. The most common misdiagnosis is herpes simplex keratitis, one of the leading causes of infection-related blindness.
In vrey early stages, it can even look like conjunctivitis, which is what Sánchez was diagnosed with when she went to the optometrist about a month after her symptoms began.
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Want to reduce your chances of contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis? When cleaning and storing contact lenses, always use contact lens solutions purchased from stores or prescribed by a doctor instead of water, experts advise. Contact lens case solution should also be changed daily.
Washing and thoroughly drying your hands before putting in lenses is essential to prevent eye infections from various origins. Lenses should also not be worn to sleep, as this can cause dryness, irritation, abrasions, and trap germs that can lead to serious infections. Using daily disposable lenses instead of monthly ones can also reduce the risk of infection.
If performing water activities without wearing contact lenses is unsafe for you,you can try goggles or prescription swim goggles. But this concern could also be a good reason to talk to your doctor about vision correction surgery, according to Dr. Ashley Brissette, an ophthalmologist at Kelly Vision, a LASIK and cataract surgery center in New York City.
These procedures include Smile, PRK (photorefractive keratectomy) or LASIK, all laser surgeries, and EVO ICL, which means
If you experience any concerning symptoms and know you’ve recently had high-risk behavior, see a cornea specialist as soon as possible, sources recommend.
“Early recognition can really help improve outcomes,” Brissette said.
Trying to kill an acanthamoeba while protecting the eye is intricate.
First-line treatments are anti-amoebic eye drops such as chlorhexidine, propamidine isethionate, hexamidine or PHMB, which is not authorized in some countries, including the United States, according to Lorenzo-Morales. Some of these drops, especially chlorhexidine, can cause intense pain due to their toxic effects on the cornea, adding to the suffering already caused by the parasite, hence the need for new treatments, Lorenzo-Morales added.
“The drops are very, very painful, but it’s not a deep pain, it’s felt more on the surface, like an extreme feeling of dryness and irritation,” said Hannah, a 26-year-old woman.
Jamison, de 33 años, padece queratocono, una enfermedad ocular progresiva que hace que la córnea se adelgace y se abulte, distorsionando la visión.
“Es como mirar a través de una botella de agua ondulada”, dijo Jamison, que vive en Austin, Texas. “Al principio, no me di cuenta de que mi visión se estaba deteriorando. Pensé que simplemente necesitaba una nueva receta para mis gafas”.
Después de varios cambios de gafas sin mejoría, Jamison fue diagnosticada con queratocono en 2018. La afección puede causar visión borrosa, sensibilidad a la luz y halos alrededor de las luces. En casos graves, puede provocar ceguera.
A veces se receta a los pacientes dos tipos de medicamentos simultáneamente y deben aplicar varias gotas de cada uno cada media hora o cada hora, durante días o semanas, antes de poder empezar a reducir la dosis y la frecuencia.
“Ha sido horrible”, dijo Jamison sobre su tratamiento durante los últimos cuatro meses. “Las gotas tienen que prepararse de forma especial y deben mantenerse refrigeradas todo el tiempo porque no contienen conservadores”.
Hannah mantiene un mini refrigerador junto a su cama y lleva una bolsa térmica cuando sale, para minimizar el impacto del tratamiento en su sueño, sus diligencias o su vida social.
En ocasiones, cuando el ojo presenta cicatrices, adelgazamiento o perforación de la córnea, es necesario realizar un trasplante de córnea, explicó Brissette, quien también es vocera de la Academia Americana de Oftalmología.
“La cicatriz en mi ojo derecho está justo en el centro de mi visión y cubre toda mi pupila”, dijo Jamison. Señaló que su médico está evaluando el uso de un lente escleral, hecho de plástico transpirable: “La idea es alisar la cicatriz para que sea más uniforme, lo que podría
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The text discusses advice for coping with an illness, featuring a quote from someone named Hannah.The illness is not specified. A search for recent news regarding widespread illnesses and coping mechanisms was conducted as of January 11, 2026, 01:49:06 UTC.
* Long COVID: Remains a significant health concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to provide facts and resources on managing long-term effects.
* Mental Health Support: Increased awareness and resources are available for mental health challenges associated with chronic illness. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a national helpline and resources.
* Chronic Illness Communities: Online and in-person support groups continue to be vital for individuals managing chronic conditions.
There are no breaking news events directly contradicting the general sentiment of the provided text.The advice to “hang in there” and acknowledge that ”better” is subjective remains relevant in the context of ongoing chronic illness management.
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* Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) – US federal agency responsible for public health.
* Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) – US federal agency focused on behavioral health.
* National Institutes of Health (NIH) – US federal agency conducting medical research.
* Support Groups – Community-based organizations providing peer support.
PHASE 3: SEMANTIC ANSWER RULE (MANDATORY)
Coping with Illness: General Strategies
- Definition / Direct Answer: Effective coping with illness involves acknowledging the challenges, seeking support, and focusing on incremental improvements, as “better” can have a different meaning for each individual.
- Detail: Living with an illness, whether acute or chronic, frequently enough presents significant physical, emotional, and psychological challenges. The experience is highly personal, and recovery or management is rarely linear. Accepting that setbacks are part of the process and adjusting expectations accordingly are crucial. Support from healthcare professionals, family, friends, and peer support groups can considerably improve quality of life.
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- Example or Evidence: SAMHSA’s National Helpline provides confidential referrals to local treatment facilities,support groups,and community-based organizations. SAMHSA National Helpline. The helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Utilizing Support Networks
- Definition / Direct Answer: Connecting with others who understand the challenges of living with an illness can provide valuable emotional support,practical advice,and a sense of community.
- Detail: Support groups, both online and in-person, offer a platform for sharing experiences, learning from others, and reducing feelings of isolation. These groups can be disease-specific or focus on broader themes of chronic illness management.
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* CDC Helpline: 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
* SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
* Long COVID Definition: The CDC defines Long COVID as health problems that continue for weeks, months, or years after the initial